People watch television for different reasons -- as an escape from their hectic lives, as a means of news and information or purely as a form of entertainment.
While some shows (ahem, reality TV, which we fully admit to watching)
don't offer much educational value, others can actually teach viewers a
thing or two. And with so many shows set in a work environment, the
career lessons to be learned are plentiful.

Here are seven lessons learned from some of TV's most recognizable workplaces:

Lesson No. 1: Nice guys can finish firstShow: "The Office"After
former boss Michael Scott left Scranton, Pa., paper company Dunder
Mifflin, everyone wondered who would be picked as his replacement. Would
it be Dwight Schrute, the scheming, often paranoid salesman who has
long been eyeing the job? Or perhaps Jim Halpert, the office jokester,
would become the Big Cheese? To the surprise of the office, it was Andy
Bernard who took over as manager. While Andy has been known to have some
anger-management issues, overall he's a nice guy who puts other
people's feelings before his own. While in this day and age it may feel
like you have to adopt a ruthless, take-no-prisoners attitude to get
ahead at work, Andy teaches us that you can treat people well and win.

Lesson No. 2: You can be a mom and a successful businesswomanShow: "Up All Night"NBC's new hit show "Up All Night" follows the lives of Reagan, her husband Chris and their baby Amy. Reagan is a high-powered producer
at "Ava," a talk show hosted by her best friend. When it was time for
either Reagan or Chris to head back to work post-baby, it was Reagan who
decided she couldn't bear to leave her job. The show covers real topics
that working mothers deal with every day -- the guilt of leaving their
children, the stress of working a full-time job and coming home to their
second job as wife and mother, and the issues parents deal with when
one parent is working and one isn't. Yet the main lesson learned from
the show is that you'll never be perfect at either -- nobody is -- but
you can work at a job you love and still be a great parent.

Lesson No. 3: Disagreeing is good for businessShow: "Private Practice"Tune
into "Private Practice" on any given Thursday, and chances are at some
point during the episode two doctors will be arguing. A common cause for
argument among the doctors at Oceanside Wellness is determining the
best treatment for a patient. Each makes a case by stating his or her
medical opinion, but oftentimes personal beliefs or experiences have
some influence as well. While arguing for arguing sake is
counterproductive, having a workplace discussion where not everyone
agrees can be beneficial to your team and your clients. Hearing
different perspectives than your own can help you make a more informed
decision and often leads to a better end result.

Lesson No. 4: It's OK to ask for helpShow: "Parks and Recreation"The
show's star, Leslie Knope, works in the Parks and Recreation Department
of Pawnee, Ind. Leslie is an ambitious workaholic who has dreams of one
day being a high-powered politician. To help reach those dreams, Leslie
runs for city council. As Leslie's campaign kicks into full gear, she
tries to stay on top of her day job. Her boss, Ron Swanson, urges her to
delegate work to others, but she thinks she can do it all. Yet as
projects begin to slip through the cracks, Leslie realizes that it's OK
to get help from others. The moral of the story: If you're feeling
overworked, ask team members if they can pick up some of the slack. If
you try to take on too much to prove your worth, you may end up making a
costly mistake.

Lesson No. 5: Bullying only gets you so farShow: "Boss"As
mayor of Chicago, Tom Kayne rules with an iron fist. He uses bullying,
intimidation and even violence to get what he wants and to keep his team
in line. While his abuse of power does help him succeed in the
workplace, it also fosters paranoia. Even if he is paranoid for good
reason, he's often second-guessing his relationships, wondering if he
can trust anyone from his wife to his advisers. Sure, bullying may get
short-term results, but in the long run you'll burn bridges, damage
relationships and always wonder if anyone is truly loyal to you.

Lesson No. 6: Lying, even with good intentions, will come back to haunt youShow: "Grey's Anatomy"Dr. Meredith Grey -- the show's star and narrator -- is close with Richard Webber, former chief of surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital.
Richard's wife, Adele, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at around
the same time Meredith began working on a clinical drug trial for the
disease. Participating patients either get the drug or a placebo, but
who gets what is kept confidential so the results are unbiased. Yet when
Adele becomes one of the participants, Meredith breaks the rules and
intervenes to ensure Adele gets the real treatment. Eventually,
Meredith's secret is discovered, shutting down the clinical trial and
putting her career in jeopardy. The lesson learned: Being deceitful or
going behind your boss's back -- even if you think you're right -- will
do more harm than good. Instead, be transparent with your boss and try
to agree on an approach that benefits all parties involved.

Lesson No. 7: Zero work/life balance is bad for your healthShow: "Homeland"CIA
agent Carrie Mathison is out to prove that former Marine Sgt. Nicholas
Brody, who was kept in enemy confinement for eight years, has been
turned and is now a terrorist. Carrie becomes obsessed with finding out
the truth and exposing Brody. Her work takes over her life, and she'll
do whatever it takes to get answers, often breaking rules and ruining
personal relationships. While this is an extreme example, it's not
uncommon for workers to take work home with them, both literally and
figuratively. If you count yourself as an overworked employee,
make sure to find some balance by taking up hobbies, leaving your
computer at home and shutting off your BlackBerry on the weekends. It
may take some getting used to, but it'll do your body -- and your career
-- good.

Spring brings thoughts of warm weather, outdoor
activities ... and cleaning. Although few people truly look forward to
the last item on this list, almost everyone understands it needs to get
done.

Don't concentrate solely on your closet, dining-room
table or other household areas. Also look to your workspace. Chances are
your desk and computer could use some freshening up, too.

Here are some of the benefits of cleaning around the office.

It increases your efficiency.
Filing emails about the training session you organized six months ago,
deleting outdated messages that clog your inbox and going through papers
crowding your desk will make it easier to find necessary information.
This can be especially important when under a tight deadline or if
you're out of the office unexpectedly and need a colleague to fill in
for you.

It reduces your stress. Having a cluttered
workspace can be stressful. Just think of the last time you had to rifle
through a stack of papers or a mountain of emails for a single buried
document. Tidying up can reduce your feelings of pressure and
constraint.

Enhance your image at work. When you entertain
guests at home, you usually straighten up beforehand so people feel
welcome -- and impressed. Take the same approach with your workspace.
Why? Because appearances matter. According to a Robert Half survey, 83
percent of human resource managers surveyed said the appearance of a person's workspace affects their perception of that person's professionalism. The tidier your desk, the more put together you'll seem.

Uncover forgotten items. One immediate impact of cleaning
your workspace is discovering forgotten ideas from past brainstorming
sessions, assignments that never made it to your to-do list or emails
that have gotten lost among other unread items. Even if you don't
consider yourself particularly messy or unorganized, it's easy for any
number of things to slip through the cracks during a busy workday.

Gain a sense of accomplishment.
Don't forget that cleaning up simply feels good. Unlike other items on
your to-do list, giving your desk a good once-over can be crossed off
relatively quickly, and you can see tangible results afterward.

Even
if these benefits sound great, you may be wondering where you'll find
the time to actually clean up. Don't worry -- you don't have to invest
several hours to make a noticeable impact. By taking just a few minutes
each day to organize your space, you can gradually clean the clutter and
keep it at bay.

The key is to set small goals. If you have
thousands of messages in your email inbox, yes, it will take a while to
put everything in order. But organizing your emails from last October
may only take a half-hour. The next day, you can tackle November and
slowly work your way toward present day.

Also, be prepared to make
some tough decisions. Do you really need to keep a report from 2008? A
good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you have referenced a certain
document or email in the past six months. If you haven't, there's a good
chance you can toss it or, at the very least, file it away. Just be
sure you understand your company's policies on handling confidential or
sensitive information. You may need to retain certain documents, even if
they've been collecting dust at the bottom of your file drawer for
months.

When a new hire goes rogue or fails to meet expectations,
employers are often blind to their role in the failure. Instead of
asking, "Could I have better supported my employee?" they instead say,
"I hated to do it, but I had to let Suzie go" or "I had to put Bill on
probation."

Hiring managers have a habit of viewing
underperformance or shattered expectations as the fault of one person.
Once they understand that they are just as responsible as the new hire
for the new hire's success, they can develop, apply and refine
strategies and corresponding techniques to ensure that new hires,
particularly those who are new to the workforce, get to where they need
to be.

For sustainable workplace success, transparency is key. New
employees can easily become lost and unsure of themselves when employer
expectations are not communicated clearly. By the end of the first
week, direct supervisors or managers should talk to new workers about
their chief responsibilities and the ways in which they will be held
accountable.

During this conversation, bosses should also clarify
exactly what is expected of a new employee. And if a new employee
hasn't received any direction, he should feel comfortable broaching the
topic himself. Here are the topics to discuss, categorized as the "4
P's".

Professionalism

What is the appropriate use of technology, particularly social media?

Can employees take personal calls in the workplace?

What kind of relationship can employees enjoy with managers outside of the workplace?

Can colleagues date? If so, must they be in different departments? Have lateral positions? Report it to human resources?

Performance

What are three to five key indicators of outstanding performance in this position?

In which skills and behaviors does management want to see evidence of success?

What are key benchmarks in performance that must be met in the first 90 days?

What are key project deadlines that must be hit in the first 90 days?

How are promotions and raises decided?

Problem solving

What are the best ways to handle the "typical" problems that someone in this role will encounter?

How should a worker deal with a problem? At what point should a supervisor be brought in?

What are company practices for handling internal conflict or conflict with a customer/stakeholder?

Passion

What's an appropriate workplace attitude?

What values do successful employees carry into their work?

How can professionals demonstrate creativity and innovation?

How can new hires best adapt to and shape company culture?

While
some of these topics may have been addressed before the first day, it's
never a bad idea to revisit them. By asking and answering these types
of questions, bosses and employees will be able to effectively
communicate expectations to each other.

If you're unhappy at your job, thoughts of shouting, "I
quit!" and running for the door have likely crossed your mind. Yet such a
drastic decision isn't easy and shouldn't be made in haste.

So,
how do you know if you're just having a bad day or if you're truly ready
to resign? Or are you on the other end of the spectrum and love your
job a little too much for your own good? Take this quiz to find out
where you fall:

1. It's Sunday night. What's your mindset?A. You're glad the weekend is over -- time to get back to work and use your brain again. B. You had a good weekend, but now it's time to focus on what you need to do for the week ahead. C. It's Sunday already? Back to the daily grind.D. You have a pit in your stomach and feel physically ill about the idea of going to work.

2. What is it about your job you don't like?A. Nothing -- it's perfect.B. You have to work overtime every once in awhile, and you wish you had more vacation days.C. You feel bored and unchallenged.D. Everything -- your boss, your colleagues, your role, the way the company is run -- you could go on and on.

3. It's performance review time, and you're about to find out whether you got a promotion. What's running through your mind?A. You're excited and confident. You know you got the promotion. After all, you'll be running the company one day.B. You're a mix of nervous and excited. You hope you got it, but you're interested in hearing your boss's feedback. C. You're indifferent. If you get it, great; if not, whatever.D.
You're dreading the conversation. You're hoping you didn't get a
promotion, because you have no desire to take on more responsibility and
feel committed to the company for much longer.

4. When you have a bad day at work, you:A. Wouldn't know the feeling. What's it like to have a bad day?B. Find ways to relieve stress, such as exercise, shopping or going out with friends. C. Go home, turn off your phone, pour a glass of wine and watch TV.D. Pick a fight with your spouse or partner.

5. How would you describe your health?A.
Overall pretty good. But you don't get to exercise that much, because
that's precious time you could be working and proving to your boss that
you're totally committed to the job.B. Healthy. You have good work/life balance and find time to eat well and exercise.C. So-so. You try to work out every once in awhile but don't always feel motivated.D. Not great. You aren't sleeping well, you're constantly having headaches, and you're often agitated.

6. In five years, you see yourself:A. Being in a leadership role within the company. There's no other option. B. In a managerial role, assuming it's the right fit. C. You're not sure. Maybe you'll still be working at the same company or maybe you won't. D. No longer at the company, and no longer doing what you're doing.

7. When you have to talk to your boss about a tough or sensitive topic, how do you typically feel?A. Good. You have a great relationship with your boss. In fact, she's your best friend.B.
Fine. Tough conversations are never fun, but they're part of life, and
you know you and your boss will work through it together.C. Annoyed. You try to avoid talking to your boss -- or anyone, for that matter -- as much as possible.D.
Scared. You're afraid your boss will start berating you and making you
feel like you failed. That's usually how these conversations go.

8. When a friend asks you how things are going at work, you respond:A. "Perfect! I love work and wish it were seven days a week."B. "Work is good. I'm working on an interesting project right now." C. "Same old; nothing new to report. Although yesterday I did win a game of Facebook Scrabble that I played with my cube mate." D. "I don't want to talk about it."

9. How would you describe your company?A. The best place to work in the world.B. Good culture, good benefits, smart people.C. It's fine. It's a place to work.D.
A terrible place to work. All leadership cares about is making money,
no matter how overworked, underpaid and miserable their employees are.

10. You have a client meeting. How are you feeling?A. You can't wait. You've been up all night preparing.B. You feel prepared and think it's going to be a good meeting.C. Ugh. Another meeting with the same client, talking about the same things.D.
Sick to your stomach. It's not that you aren't prepared, but how do you
convince your client if you don't even believe in what you're talking
about?

Results

Mostly A's: You love your job
-- maybe too much. There's nothing wrong with loving what you do. But if
work is taking over your life -- because you choose for it to, not
because you're forced to make it that way -- you may be making
sacrifices in other areas, such as relationships and health. Being
motivated is honorable and should be commended, but are you allowing
yourself to enjoy the fruits of your labor? And while it's OK to be
friendly with your boss, if your only friends are your co-workers, you
might want to get out more. Having a work/life balance is healthy, and
while you should never feel guilty for wanting to succeed, you should
also never feel guilty about wanting to take a break and live life
outside of work.

Mostly B's: Congratulations! You have a
job that you enjoy and you have achieved healthy work/life balance.
You're motivated and work hard, but you're pretty good about not taking
work home with you. Yes, there are times where you get stressed out or
frustrated about something, but the positives of your job outweigh any
negatives. You also have a friendly, but professional, working
relationship with your boss and co-workers. You can speak openly with
them about any issues and you can work together to solve them. You also
likely have a clear idea of what career path you want to take. You see
yourself continuing to move up within the company, but you're open to
whatever the future holds.

Mostly C's: You likely have a general attitude of indifference toward your job.Your
work doesn't really challenge you anymore, and you may feel as if your
career is stalled. You go to work every day and do what you need to do
to get the work done, but you don't care enough to go above and beyond.
To get out of this work rut, it may be time to explore other
opportunities. Before moving on, look first for opportunities within
your company. Take on additional projects, ask your boss for different
responsibilities, or undergo training courses. Or consider the
possibility of transitioning to a different role within your company.
Try to get back to a place where work excites you again.

Mostly D's:
If you fall into this category, you may want to consider whether it's
time to make a change. While it's normal to not want a weekend to end,
it's not normal to feel an overwhelming sense of dread or anxiety.
Whenever you have a bad day, which at this point is pretty often,
instead of finding healthy ways to relieve your stress, you take it out
on your family or friends. And heaven forbid anyone were to ask you
about work -- if they even get an answer out of you, it's likely along
the lines of, "It's terrible, I hate everyone there, and my boss is a
monster." Constantly feeling stressed, overwhelmed and miserable will
eventually harm your health.
And when you've gotten to a point where work makes you physically ill,
you need to re-evaluate your situation. Honestly assess what makes you
unhappy about your job, and either do something to change it or find
another place to work where you feel happy, healthy and fulfilled.

Teamwork is crucial to most workplaces. As the saying goes, "A
chain is only as strong as its weakest link," so it's important that
each individual on a team understands his purpose, function and
responsibilities in order for everyone else to do their work
effectively.

In her book "Personality Style at Work," Kate Ward
shares the four most common team styles that individuals adopt when
part of a group. Understanding how you function as part of a team can
help improve your experience and help the team remain productive and
positive.

1.Direct. A direct team member is
typically the person who rallies everyone together and gives structure
to the task or objective. This person is decisive, likes action and
achieving milestones and is willing to push others and help where
needed. The direct team member may engage in conflict, but it's for the
greater good. Independence is crucial. She'll listen to all ideas
presented but will decide what's best for the goal. However, this person
can also be impatient and insensitive when giving feedback and often
plays devil's advocate.

Potential roles: Manager, project manager, director, producer2. Spirited.
You know the teammate who is full of energy and bouncing off the walls
with enthusiasm? That's the team member with a spirited working style.
As the cheerleader, this person motivates, excites and inspires others
to keep the energy positive. Don't be surprised to hear off-the-wall
ideas coming from the spirited team member. He refuses to let the group
hit a wall and will always present a solution. However, this person may
have trouble sticking to the plan, struggles with deadlines and can be
easily distracted.

Potential roles: Account coordinator, marketing specialist, social-media specialist, designer3. Considerate.
Someone has to be the glue that holds the team together, despite the
inevitable ups and downs. The considerate team member maintains harmony
among the others and is usually the best listener in the group. This
person is also the most thoughtful and caring when dealing with others.
Considerate team members also have the most flexibility when it comes to
achieving the objective and are willing to set aside their own agendas
for the group. However, this person may be reluctant to express his own
feelings and may at times be too passive.Potential roles: Counselor, human resource generalist, nurse, office manager

4. Systematic.
Systematic team members get things done. However, these members like
clearly defined and assigned tasks and are deadline driven. Consider
this person the opposite of the spirited group member. Instead of
creativity and innovation, this style is more aligned to precision,
accuracy and objectivity. The group can rely on this person to provide a
fair and honest opinion. However, this person values data over
relationships and may get hung up on her own rigidity and perfectionism.Potential roles: IT, financial services, data analyst, engineer
Ward
warns that teams that work together should be careful to avoid
groupthink. "When you seek consensus, make certain that you haven't
inadvertently engaged in groupthink instead," Ward says. "Groupthink
occurs when the pressure to conform outweighs a team's decision-making
process."
Typically, groupthink happens when team members are
under pressure to achieve a task or meet a deadline, which means they
also limit themselves to viable alternatives and rationalize faulty
information in order to finish a project.
The next time you find
yourself in a group setting, identify your personality style and how you
can contribute to the group. If all members of your team share the same
style, you can still step up as a leader and help accomplish the task
in a timely manner.

A negative performance review
can feel devastating, but it may not be quite the setback it seems. If
you're ready for this feedback, it's entirely possible to use it to your
long-term advantage.

Here are seven tips for not letting a negative performance review take the wind out of your sails.

1. First, do nothing. The
most important thing you can do after hearing less-than-stellar input
about your performance is to avoid an impulsive reaction. Because
criticism of your work can feel very personal, it's natural to become
defensive, try to divert blame onto others or dispute your boss's
assessment. But a performance review isn't a debate, and lashing out at
your supervisor can quickly turn a challenge into a crisis. If you're
upset, ask to discuss the matter again after you've had some time to
digest it. For now, just listen to the feedback and attempt to
understand it. You won't be able to do that while you're angry or hurt.

2. Put it in perspective.
Especially if you're accustomed to successful appraisals, even a mildly
critical one can make you feel like you're on the brink of being fired.
Unless such a warning was part of your appraisal, that's probably not
the case. If your manager is consistently telling you that you need to
improve, and the formal review reaffirms these earlier conversations,
then you have cause for concern.

Never lose sight of the type of
feedback you received, whether it was an ultimatum, a commentary on your
overall performance or a concern about a specific aspect of your job.
When an employer discusses your performance in terms of how you can be
even better at what you do, it usually means he or she wants to protect
the company's investment in you -- not abandon it.

While you
should take every word of the review seriously, there's probably no
reason to panic. Many managers make a point of identifying areas for
improvement even among their top performers.

3. Get clarification.
Make sure you fully understand any criticism, whether or not you agree
with it. Probing for more information may be painful, but it's a
necessary step toward improving.

If any of the shortcomings were
vague, such as "poor communication," ask your boss for examples. Be
careful to frame the discussion as an effort to better understand the
comments, not to question your boss's perception, which is often
subjective.

4. Correct errors when necessary. If your
review contains factual mistakes -- as opposed to assertions you
disagree with -- you should correct this information. Your manager won't
be able to accurately assess your progress in the period ahead if any
concerns that were raised were based on faulty information.

Just
be careful not to be overly defensive. If there is any truth at all to
what you are hearing, acknowledge it and move on. If you think you have
been treated unfairly, most companies have a process for submitting a
written rebuttal or employee response to the review. This is your right,
but be sure that if there is truth to what you've heard, you accept the
feedback and learn from it.

5. Make a plan. Try to
translate each criticism in your review into specific actions you can
take to improve in these areas. For example, if you were called out for
missing too many deadlines, look for ways you can prevent this in the
future, such as revamping your calendar and alerts system, establishing a
different daily routine or being more careful about overcommitting to
projects.

Work with your manager to determine how you can address
his concerns, what the next steps should be and how your progress will
be measured.

6. Enlist help. If you struggle to improve,
ask a colleague or two for input -- or even for help keeping you on
track with a particular challenge. Your co-workers may have insights
into the realities of your workday that you can't see clearly.
Ultimately, however, the most helpful direction is likely to come
straight from the source of the criticism: your boss.

7. Follow up. If
you were surprised by the criticism, that's a good indicator that you
and your supervisor haven't been communicating as well as you could be.
Suggest a brief, regular check-in to discuss your progress on key
issues. The more closely you work together, the better chance you'll
have of avoiding a replay of the negative review.

An honest
performance review can help you identify and overcome obstacles that
have been holding you back. Many managers are afraid to be candid during
these meetings because it can be almost as difficult to give this
feedback as it is receive it. If you accept the constructive criticism
and work to address it, you'll give yourself a much better chance of
receiving a stronger review the next time around.

Certain things you do endear you to your boss. And then there are those
that frustrate your supervisor and may even jeopardize your future.

Unfortunately,
your manager may not always tell you that your behavior is driving him
up the wall. Here are some of the top offenses that could land you in
the corporate hall of shame:

1. Impersonating an ostrich. You
may know problems are cropping up -- a client is becoming increasingly
irate, a project has gone awry or there are systemic issues that need
everyone's attention.

Don't keep your manager in the dark. Bosses
don't like to have to confront problems either, but they also don't
want them to be neglected until it's too late.

Speak up when
there's a problem that's too big to ignore. You may not relish the role
of messenger, but your manager will appreciate that you had the guts to
raise a flag, rather than stick your head in the sand while there was
still time to rectify the situation.

2. Being high maintenance.
This quality may seem like a requirement in the celebrity world, but
it's rarely on any other manager's list of desirable qualities in an
employee. Bosses appreciate professionals who take ownership of their
tasks and can work without constantly needing guidance or positive
reinforcement.

Though you should ask for help when you're truly
unsure about how to proceed with a project, be careful not to monopolize
your manager's time and attention. Focus instead on improving your
listening skills and acting on the feedback you receive so you can learn
to work more independently.

3. Thinking the office is your stage.
Some people think the office is their outlet for drama. Managers don't
agree. Few things become more tiresome to bosses and colleagues than
working alongside people who make mountains out of molehills and manufacture conflict.

Leave
the drama to your community-theater pursuits. Your manager will
appreciate you much more if you simply carry out your projects in an
unfailingly professional way, rather than complaining at every twist and
turn.

4. Talking a good game. A good way to exasperate
your manager is to continually promise big things -- "Sure, I'll have
that project completed by Friday," -- and fail to deliver. This behavior
can become such a pattern that bosses end up feeling uneasy counting on
an employee to do what is promised and disappointed in themselves for
allowing the predictable cycle to repeat itself.

If you suspect
you're guilty of chronically overpromising and underdelivering, have an
honest discussion with your manager about the problem. Maybe one or both
of you can shed some light on why it keeps happening. Try to work
together to figure out how to escape the pattern. For instance, setting
incremental goals may help you rein in the tendency to make grand, but
unrealistic, promises.

5. Deflecting criticism. Almost
everyone drops the ball at one point or another. But rather than making
excuses or being overly sensitive to constructive criticism, own up to
mistakes and let your manager know how you plan to avoid similar
problems in the future. Your boss will appreciate your willingness to
confront less-than-ideal outcomes and will come to see you as someone
who can be trusted to respond appropriately, no matter what the
situation.

Even the most accomplished professionals occasionally
engage in behaviors that are annoying to the boss. Take a look inside to
see if you're guilty of any of these offenses. After all, someone who
gets the job done is always valued, but someone who gets it done without
causing the boss any concern, stress or frustration is the ultimate
team player.

Meetings can be as much a liability as an asset. If you're not
smart about how you run your meetings, people will come to dread them.
Effective meetings require effective management.

Here are six ways to get your people excited about meetings and let them walk away with as much benefit as possible:

Avoid unnecessary meetings.The
first rule in getting people to not hate meetings is to not have too
many. While you may think a Monday morning meeting is just the right
thing to set the tone for the week, your staff may not. In fact, many of
them are still thinking about the weekend, and the last thing they want
to do is sit through an unnecessary meeting. That's not to say weekly
meetings are always a bad idea; just make sure that there's truly
something to meet about before you do. For many businesses and teams, a
monthly meeting is enough, with weekly updates communicated via other
means, such as email.

Share ownership of the meeting.It's
a basic fact of human nature: We're much more interested in our own
things than we are in someone else's. Accordingly, if you want to get
people excited about a meeting, let them make it their own. Devoting
even a few minutes to key personnel can let them feel like the whole
process was worthwhile. If for some reason it's important to your
business to have regular meetings, consider passing the role of
facilitating the meeting around your team.

Provide incentives for attending (and paying attention) during a meeting.Food
is often a great motivator for teams. Serving bagels and cream cheese
can help encourage meeting attendance and participation. As much as
human beings like to think they're motivated by higher interests, over
time your team will begin to associate meeting time with delectable
treats.

Consider creative meeting venues.Sitting
around a table in a conference room can be a great way to get things
done quickly. It's also a great way to stifle creativity. For a change
of pace, get out from under the fluorescent glow of the conference room
and hold your meetings somewhere else, such as a local restaurant. Even
meeting in a different part of the building can help to keep things
fresh.

Vary presentation formats.If the primary purpose
of a meeting is to disseminate information, the last thing you want to
do is barrage your team with data orally for an hour and a half.
Likewise, all PowerPoint presentations start to look the same after
awhile. If you have the time and resources, consider breaking things up
with a variety of presentation formats. That can include oral, slide
shows, videos and even small-group activities.

Use breakout sessions to troubleshoot and collect feedback.Consider
stopping during a meeting to break into small groups. Small groups can
do a number of things for you in the middle of a meeting. For example,
they can brainstorm possible solutions to a problem presented during the
meeting. They can also be a great source of feedback. You can even use a
breakout session like this during your next meeting to get ideas about
making meetings more exciting.

Meetings can be more than a
necessary evil. A good leader is able to identify ways to give people
the information they need, have the discussions that need to happen and
still keep everyone interested. Try any one of these six tactics, and
you may soon find that your people stop dreading meetings and may even
start asking when the next meeting will be scheduled.

A parody on "must-have" office handbooks, "Cube Monkeys: A
Handbook for Surviving the Office Jungle" by The Editors of
CareerBuilder.com and Second City Communications (Collins) offers
laugh-out-loud advice on how to make it through the workday. Full of
irreverent humor from Second City Communications, the corporate division
of the world renowned comedy theatre The Second City, "Cube Monkeys"
features top 10 lists, quizzes, step-by-step guides, games and hilarious
advice that will help make the longest 40 hours of the week seem a
little less unbearable.

Here's an excerpt:

Are You the Office Party Animal?

Were
you the kind of college student who drank to excess every night and
could always be counted on to do something wild and outrageous? Most of
us stopped partying till dawn when we entered the workplace, but some
people -- hint, hint -- don't realize that having perpetually puffy and
bloodshot eyes isn't quite as cute at 36 as it was at 24. Take the
following quiz to find out if you share any traits with the Office Party
Animal.

1. Your cubicle . . .a. Is always neat and tidy.b. Has a certain homey charm.c. Has been moved to the strip club down the street.

2. You prepare for the annual office Christmas party . . .a. A few days in advance.b. A few weeks in advance.c. In June.

3. How do you take your coffee?a. With just a hint of cream.b. With a few packets of sugar.c. With gin.

4. Your fellow employees enjoy carpooling with you because . . .a. You always pay for gas.b. You make friendly chitchat.c. It invariably results in a spontaneous road trip to Tijuana.

5. You greet new clients . . .a. With polite professionalism.b. As a future friend and colleague.c. By handing them a business card that reads:"Sleeping through my job since 1995."

6. Your 401(k) . . .a. Is your retirement fund.b. Is being saved for your kids' education.c. Has already been used for keg money.

7. Lunchtime is the right time for . . .a. Getting extra work done.b. Returning all of your unanswered e-mail.c. Doing beer bongs in the bathroom.

It's been a while since you've felt the exhilaration that
comes with starting a new job. And you're wondering: "Has that
professional spark been extinguished or is it flickering faintly,
waiting to be reignited?" Take this quiz to help you identify if what
you're feeling is a temporary heat wave or the telltale signs of total
burnout.

1. Are you burned out or just exhausted?
"Take a real vacation to find out," says Rena Lewis, senior vice
president for Lee Hecht Harrison, a job search, consulting and career
management firm. Burnout: If you dread returning to work, you may be burned out. Temporary Heat Wave: If you come back rested and recharged, you just needed a well-deserved break.

2. Are you reacting to a passing moment or an entire movement?Burnout: Your company recently underwent a major restructuring, doubling your responsibilities, and there's no end in sight. Temporary Heat Wave: You're buried in work because it's your 'busy season.' But you do see light at the end of the tunnel.

3. Are the demands of your job weighing too heavily on you?Burnout: Your supervisor is too demanding and you just can't keep your head above water. You know you'll never get her to change. Temporary Heat Wave:
You're too demanding on yourself and it's causing you undue stress, not
only at work but most likely in other aspects of your life as well.
Time to let a few things go, like the perfectly clean house or some
volunteer responsibilities.

4. Do you find it difficult to focus on your job?Burnout: You face your projects with total apathy and feel you have nothing left to give. Temporary Heat Wave: Your lack of focus is rooted in the nebulous mess you call a workspace. Get organized and get rejuvenated!

5. Have you got the urge to find greener pastures?Burnout:
You're feeling more and more detached at work and catch yourself
fantasizing about walking out the door to find that 'dream job' and
leaving these 'little minds' behind. Temporary Heat Wave: You're in a rut and ready to venture past the usual lunch crowd and meet some new peers.

So You're Burned Out...If
your situation is illustrated by more 'Burnout' descriptions, it's
likely time to start down a new career path or follow a new opportunity
to professional happiness. Get your resume together and begin your
search.

Temper the Warming EffectsIf you
saw more of yourself in the 'Temporary Heat Wave' scenarios, then you
might need a new focus and new challenges to recharge your professional
energy. "You don't have to leave your employer to energize yourself,"
Lewis advises. Lewis offers these suggestions for putting the spark back
in your career:

"Look for a new position
within your organization," she says. Network internally -- try to catch
key people in the break room to get the scoop on a position or new
project team being assembled.

Examine your current position to identify a new responsibility or element you could include that would refresh your focus.

Assess what aspects of the job you really like and do well and then concentrate on expanding those activities.

Make
sure you get meaningful feedback from your supervisor. Without clear
feedback, Lewis warns, you are apt to burn out faster because you will
not have clear goals or accurate measurement.

Read relevant trade publications to stay up on the latest issues and trends. Find ways to incorporate these into your job.

Delegate
or eliminate non-essential tasks. Sometimes we get mired down with
minutia and lose sight of what we really need to be doing.

Investigate
opportunities to transfer to a new city. Working in completely new
surroundings with different peers could get your professional juices
flowing again.

Having a job teaches you a lot about yourself, from the
type of employee you are to the kind of people with whom you best
interact. Dealing with colleagues, clients and demanding bosses is also a
test of strength. How long can you listen to a co-worker prattle on
about his daily commute before you scream?

Perhaps most
unexpected is how often you find your moral guidelines tested.
Quandaries both small and large pop up every day and make you ask
yourself, "What do I want to do? And what should I do?"

To
prepare you for these ethical dilemmas, we've put together this quiz.
Answer these 10 questions to see how ethical you are at work.

You just printed a 200-page document that used all the paper in the printer.

A. You refill the paper tray immediately.
B. You casually mention that the machine's out of paper to people around you so they know to refill it before they hit print.
C. Eh, they'll figure it out eventually.

Your boss hands you a stack of papers that accidentally includes confidential personnel files.A. Immediately return the files to the boss once you recognize the mistake.
B. Search through the pages just to find your own file.
C. Read everyone's files.

You're running late because you got a little too happy at last night's happy hour.A. You call ahead to warn your team you'll be late so they're not further inconvenienced by your tardiness.
B. You show up late and hope no one notices.
C. You show up late and blame a horrible (imaginary) car wreck that caused traffic to back up for miles.

You haven't had a vacation day in months and realize you'd like to take tomorrow off.A. Tell your boss you need to use a vacation day to unwind and recharge.
B. Start coughing and mention you feel bad so that you've built a convincing reason to call in sick.
C.
Wait until the morning when you know the boss hasn't arrived. Leave a
message saying an emergency's come up and you can't make it in today.

In
the middle of the most boring business meeting, you realize you could
be more productive (or less bored) if you were at your desk instead.A.
Grin and bear it because it would be rude to leave.B. Pretend to have
received an urgent call or e-mail and go back to your desk to work.
C. Pretend to visit the restroom but go back to your desk and update your Facebook.

You find out your cubicle neighbor is having a secret affair with the intern in accounting.A. You pretend you know nothing about it.
B. You tell your closest work friends because you know they won't tell anyone.
C. You tell anyone who will listen.

You
just accepted a job offer at a new company. It begins in a month, so
you're going to wait two weeks to give your notice. The next day the
boss comes in and explains how he wants to restructure the department
and your role is pivotal.A. To prevent his plans from going awry, you decide to tell him now that you're leaving in a month.
B.
You go along with his plans for now, but still give your two weeks'
notice so that he receives ample warning time and you aren't let go a
month before your new job starts.
C. You wait until your last day to tell him that you're gone and it was nice knowing him.

You
know the boss is in a terrible mood. You also know your co-worker is
about to go ask the boss for a ridiculously large raise.A. You quietly warn your colleague that the boss is probably going to throw scissors at him if he goes in there today.
B. You mind your own business because you don't want to get involved.
C. You don't mention the boss' bad mood and instead get your colleague fired up and encourage him to triple the salary request.

It's 3 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving and everyone is on vacation. The phone hasn't rung once and no e-mails have come in.A. You stay at your desk until 5 p.m. because it's your job.
B. You wait 30 more minutes to make sure nothing comes up, and then you leave.
C. Ha! You've been gone since noon.

The
boss loves the ideas you pitched to everyone and can't stop showering
you with accolades. The problem is, the ideas were a joint effort
between you and your colleague.A. You say, "Thanks, but I didn't work alone. Sheila worked just as hard as I did."
B. You take the praise, and eventually tell Sheila what happened and that you didn't know how to tell the boss.
C. You accept the accolades and try to get Sheila fired before she finds out you've stolen the spotlight.

If you scored:

All A's -- You're the poster child for ethics.We
should all be as pure as you. As long as you're not gloating about your
ethical infallibility, you serve as a great role model for those around
you.

Mostly A's -- You're not perfect, but you're still a role model.
No
one's perfect, so you shouldn't feel too bad. Every now and then you
stray, so just listen to the little voice that tells you to do the right
thing most of the time a little more often.

Mostly B's -- You've forgotten a few things your parents taught you.

You
could do worse -- much, much worse -- but you still stray from the
right decision now and then. Just think twice before you make a few
decisions and you'll be good to go.

Mostly C's -- You're far from perfect but could be worse.OK,
sometimes you teeter close the edge of unethical and might be damaging
your career. You can still redeem yourself now and then. With a little
hard work, you can probably perform some damage control and get on the
right track.

All C's -- You'd steal candy from a baby. And laugh about it.
Let's
be honest, your reputation is probably not so great. In fact, people
probably check their wallets once you've left to make sure nothing's
stolen. Now's the time to decide if you want to start fresh with strong
relationships and a better reputation

The old adage "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" conveniently omits any reference to frenemies
-- people who seem like an ally one minute and an adversary the next.
In the workplace, these relationships can be common. For example,
consider the colleague who happily collaborated with you on a
high-profile project only to claim full credit as soon as the project
wrapped.

Unfortunately, distinguishing a true comrade from someone who has an
eye on your job can seem like a job in itself. Here are five tips for
protecting yourself from the damage and stress a suspicious office
friendship can cause:

1. Look at yourself first Before you address a
colleague's iffy behavior, look at your own. You could be contributing
to a competitive environment with your own actions. Subtle moves and
attitudes -- assuming you know more than a colleague because you've
worked for the company longer, for example -- can make an enemy out of a
work friend.

2. Avoid assumptions Misunderstandings sour more
workplace relationships than fundamental conflicts do. If you've heard
that a colleague has been talking behind your back, for instance, don't
overreact. If it's a minor matter, try to let it slide. If it seems more
significant, ask the person about it directly. You might find that you
were misinformed.

If that doesn't seem to be the case, consider what might have led to
the perceived slight. Ask whether it was a reaction to something you
said or did. Regardless of your frenemy's response, you've established
that you are aware of her behavior. If problems continue, you'll know to
treat her much more cautiously going forward.

3. Resist retaliating When you've confirmed that
a colleague has done something objectionable, like taking credit for
one of your ideas, it's tempting to respond in kind, or at least to
bad-mouth the person to other colleagues. This can turn a minor tiff
into a major battle. Indulging in gamesmanship at work not only makes
you look petty and untrustworthy, but it also takes up time and energy
that's better spent on work.

4. Get it in writing You can protect yourself
from a frenemy without shutting down the lines of communication. In
fact, you should err on the side of overcommunicating -- preferably in
writing -- when you're in doubt about someone's behavior. Whenever
possible, use email for your interactions.

If the relationship becomes more counterproductive, an email exchange
can be referred to indefinitely, unlike a half-remembered phone call or
hallway discussion. The knowledge that a record exists could prevent a
would-be adversary from misrepresenting the facts in the first place.

If you work closely with your frenemy, a clear separation of labor
can save you a lot of trouble. An email at the outset of a project that
clearly defines your respective responsibilities can prevent
misunderstandings and make it much more difficult for a colleague to
take advantage of you.

5. Consider your boss's point of view Prematurely
complaining to your boss about a shaky workplace relationship can
escalate the conflict. Before you bring the matter to your manager's
attention, think about how you'd want the situation to be handled if you
were the boss. If you're having trouble deciding, write out a "just the
facts" version of your complaint, omitting any subjective judgments or
personal gripes. If it still sounds like something your boss would want
to know about, present it as objectively as possible, explaining how the
situation threatens productivity.

Professional relationships should be handled with care, but being
overly guarded for fear of being taken advantage of can prevent you from
developing the kind of strong working friendships that can benefit you
throughout your career. Give every colleague the benefit of the doubt,
at least initially. If your trust turns out to have been misplaced,
keeping shared goals in mind -- a more productive workplace, a more
satisfying career -- can help you live and work with the problem.

Successful communication in homes and businesses alike is being
impeded by the growing national habit of "yes, buts." "Yes, buts" are
statements that begin with a tentative agreement, followed by a
completely different idea altogether, and they've become so commonplace
in American life that we sometimes aren't even aware of them.

For the most part, people use "yes, buts" in an effort to sound more
polite or thoughtful. However, there are several reasons why "yes, buts"
are detrimental to communication. In his book "Conversation Transformation," Ben E. Benjamin, Ph.D., discusses three major ones.

1. "Yes, buts" send a mixed messagePeople are
often concerned that their body language or tone of voice might send a
mixed message, but people can usually count on their words to convey a
consistent message. "Yes, buts" are the definition of a mixed message;
they allow people to offer two opposing ideas in a single sentence.
While you may think you sound polite, you're making it more difficult
for the other person's brain to process what you're saying. When given
two conflicting ideas, the brain will have to focus on just one.

2. People only hear "but"In a meeting, if your
boss says, "That's a good idea, but I think we should keep
brainstorming," do you think your boss liked your idea? People tend to
notice differences more than similarities. When faced with a "yes, but,"
most people will focus on the part that disagrees with their own point
rather than the part that agrees with it. People may also think the
other person doesn't respect them enough to speak directly. If there's
too much negative energy, eventually any conversation will break into an
argument.

3. Any difference can become a conflict"Yes,
buts" beget more "yes, buts." If you're talking with someone who is even
remotely competitive, he's likely to start firing back his own "yes,
buts" to counter yours. Before you know it, a civilized conversation can
careen off course and become a veritable tennis match of "yes, buts"
being batted back and forth. Eventually it seems like one person must be
right and the other must be wrong, even if both people's initial points
weren't necessarily mutually exclusive. "Yes, buts" have created an
argument where there once was conversation. It may not be a shouting
match, but it is just as ineffective at resolving conflict and it wastes
just as much time.

Curing your "yes, buts"The first step to kicking
this bad habit is to recognize it. When presented with ideas that you
don't necessarily agree with, keep track of your train of thought. If
you're only thinking of counter arguments, you're in danger of using a
"yes, but." When your mind is full of them, some are likely to spill out
into conversation. It can also help to ask friends or family members to
speak up when they notice your "yes, buts." Odds are they'll be
thrilled for the opportunity to call you out.

There's more to it than just catching yourself in the act. You can't
simply stop talking and walk away; you have to continue the
conversation. Benjamin suggests a strategy called "build and explore.
"Think of the 'build' as expanding the 'yes' part of your 'yes, but' by
putting more meat on the bones," he says. Rather than offering a generic
agreement, point out what you like about the other person's idea, or
build on her idea with some points of your own. Adding three specific
builds to an argument ensures that you're taking the time to consider
the idea, and it shows the other person that you've put some thought
into her suggestion.

Once you've built upon the other person's idea, the next step is to
raise your concern without phrasing it negatively. This is where
Benjamin's "explore" technique comes in: "A good way to do this is to
incorporate your concern into a broad -- open-ended -- question."
Rephrasing your concern as a question facilitates a considerate
conversation just as a "but" facilitates an argument. For example,
instead of saying, "I'd love to, but I have to go to work," try saying,
"Do you have any ideas about how I could fit a two-week vacation into my
work schedule?" This gets the concern out in the open. It also steers
the conversation toward exploring solutions, rather than focusing on the
roadblock.

Dealing with the "yes, buts" of othersYou've
dealt with your own "yes, but" habit, but you're still going to find
yourself in conversations with people who use "yes, buts." You can
defuse the potentially volatile conversation using the "build and
explore" technique. Building on their concerns, then defusing the
situation with a broad question may not prevent others from using "yes,
buts," but it is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of
frustration.

Your career path doesn't come with a set of rules to follow or a
condition to make you stay in the same field forever. A background in
chemistry could lead to a career in health-care public relations. A
doctor may one day run a bed and breakfast. An orchestra member may eventually start a music blog.

However your professional life has transformed, you can bring your
experience to your new job, even if you think you're the educational odd
man out. Here's some advice from professionals who have made
unconventional career moves.

Know your new fieldIf you're starting in a new
field or your educational background differs from your co-workers', the
first step to being successful is playing catch-up. Jason Batt, who
holds a dual degree in language arts and secondary education, is a
pastoral staff member at Capital Christian Center in Sacramento. His
approach to joining colleagues who hold degrees from seminaries was to
"learn as much about the field -- study, study, study -- and recognize
my alternative training provides a great source of talent to a team that
can sometimes be homogenous in thought and procedure."

Learn everything you can about your company and the field, especially
the commonly used language, terms and actions. If you're working at a
law firm, make sure you're briefed on the different legal processes your
firm handles. Being knowledgeable about the latest industry standards
levels the playing field. If you understand what's going on without
having to seek help from your co-workers, they're more likely to value
your input instead of being skeptical.

Share your unique perspectiveA perk of having a
different educational background than others is your ability to approach
your job with a different perspective. While most of your co-workers
may be trained to spot problems and solutions in a traditional manner,
your atypical background may help you think more creatively.

Liz Rampy, a kindergarten teacher and licensed professional counselor
from Easley, S.C., has a master's degree in community agency
counseling. Her advice is "to embrace the unique perspective that you
bring to the table. After all, you were hired in the first place." Your
employer believes you'll offer a fresh viewpoint. Take this vote of
confidence and prove him right.

Make yourself relevantRemember when you were
applying for colleges and your counselor told you that colleges prefer
well-rounded applicants? The same is true in the working world. Having a
wide range of experiences can be advantageous in your new position, as
long as you find a way to make them relevant and prove that they connect
to your vision for the future.

Becky Boyd works on marketing, PR and social media at MediaFirst PR
in Roswell, Ga., but she has a degree in engineering science and
mechanics. "Getting hired by a company outside of your degree depends on
how much experience and expertise you have garnered in previous
positions," Boyd says. "Because I can understand clients' audiences,
industry issues and challenges, I am able to help my clients develop
value propositions that win the attention of prospects, the media and
industry analysts." Making your background relevant disproves that
having a different educational background could be a negative.

Find creative connectionsYour background and
current career are linked, but in less obvious ways than your co-workers
may know. Aside from the obvious reasons why you were hired, what other
skills and talents can you apply to your position? Elle Kaplan, CEO of
the investment firm Lexion Capital Management, received a bachelor's
degree in epic Renaissance literature and chemistry. "I took that and
went to Wall Street. My first job was in an investment bank, where I was
an analyst," Kaplan says. "Epic Renaissance literature was extremely
helpful. When studying, I had to read with a skeptical eye, and I use
the same skills when looking over Wall Street research. This critical
eye has been key in making smart investment choices."

What may seem like an unrelated background could be an untapped
resource in your current career. Get creative and find new connections.

As your boss walks by your cubicle, she casually mentions the team is
getting pizza for lunch. But you know that she's really saying,
"Nobody's getting a raise this year." Understanding your boss's
communication style will save you from sleepless nights of trying to
decode her conversations. Take this quiz to see if you can interpret
what your head honcho's really trying to say.

A. "I want to goof off this afternoon, and you seem like you know more about this."B. "I'll be taking credit for your work after the project is complete."C. "Do all the work but don't be surprised when I criticize you anyway."D. "Let's discuss my vision and the steps you can take to make this happen."

2. "I'll be out of the office this afternoon, but you can reach me on my cell phone." Translation:

A. "I'm playing hooky, but if anything funny happens, call me."B. "I'm golfing and will ignore your phone calls."C. "I have important things to do, and if you try to call me, I'll fire you."D. "You'll be fine working on your own, but reach out if you need help."

3. "We're going to be staying late the next couple of weeks." Translation:

A. "My home life stinks. Let's all hang out so I don't have to go home."B. "I'll still be going home at 4 p.m., and that means you need to pick up my work."C. "The new hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., permanently."D. "Everybody will be staying later for a few weeks to get this new project done."

4. "I'll think about it." Translation:

A. "I don't know what we're talking about; I need to find somebody who does."B. "Let me figure out a way to steal this idea."C. "I'm doing something more important right now than listening to you."D. "Send me a follow-up email detailing your idea."

5. "It's good to see you take the initiative." Translation:

A. "Now I have less work to do."B. "You remind me of me."C. "Finally, you're doing something on your own."D. "It's good to see you take the initiative."

Results

Mostly A's: When actor Steve Carrell's character Michael Scott left "The Office,"
did he join your company? Your boss prefers water cooler talks to board
meetings and YouTube videos to PowerPoint presentations. While this
managing style can make work more fun, it adds extra steps to getting
feedback. Your best bet: Don't get frustrated with your boss's tendency
to goof off. Instead, focus on maintaining a positive and friendly
relationship. If you two have a jovial relationship, it will be easier
to keep him focused when a serious issue arises.

Mostly B's: How many Donald Trump books does your
boss have on his shelves? Your boss's role model may be a narcissistic
business mogul, but there are advantages to working for such an
ambitious manager. In order to create a successful working relationship,
subtly model yourself after your boss. If he stops seeing you as
competition or as a steppingstone to further his career, you can benefit
from his ruthless business practice. Back up his hard-nosed decisions,
and show you're there to help, not to get in the way. He'll expect
perfection from you, so be firm about what you will and won't do for the
team.

Mostly C's: Does the devil wear Prada at your
office? This cold and condescending boss is never satisfied with her
team's work. What can you do if you're set up for failure? Reject her
negative attitude. It's doubtful that your boss will change her ways, so
accept that she'll never be satisfied and instead set your own
realistic goals. Listen to what your boss's vision is, and execute it
the best you can. When she's disappointed in your finished project
because she swears she gave you different directions, apply that
feedback to your next assignment.

Mostly D's: Who wouldn't love to work for your boss?
She supports your ideas, challenges you to work harder and gives you
tools to succeed. Take advantage of every opportunity to impress her by
taking initiative, working on projects independently and collaborating
well with team members. Your boss is setting you up to be a star
employee, so make the most of her mentorship.

As
fall begins and the weather transitions from hot and sticky to cool and
crisp, your work wardrobe will be going through a transition as well.
When new-season clothes hit stores, it's tempting to refresh your
wardrobe by chasing the latest trends. But if you're on a budget, can
you update your outfits without breaking the bank? Yes, as long as you
shop strategically.

Focus on staples firstBefore spending money on anything else, make sure you have staple work pieces in your wardrobe. Simon Kneen, creative director at Banana Republic,
says both men and women need to have a crisp, white shirt in their
closet. "You can't go wrong with a well-tailored white shirt, because it
is both eternally classic and incredibly versatile," Kneen says. "A
well-made white shirt can be worn through the work week and on weekends
when teamed with a pair of jeans, creating a casual, yet elegant look."

Since
white shirts show dirt and wear more quickly than other colors,
consider investing in more than one, especially if you find a style that
fits your body well. To get the most wear out of your shirt, treat any
spots or sweat stains right away, and wash it by itself or with other
light colors.

Invest in timeless piecesIt's
easy to get wrapped up in new clothing trends, but consider investing
in classic work-wardrobe pieces instead to get the most bang for your
buck. Trends come and go, and in a year you may regret purchasing that
graphic print pant, fur coat and oversized hat. But there are certain
key pieces that will never go out of style and are worth the investment.

"Investing
in high-quality pieces like a suit, slim-fit button down and blazer is
worth it, since these are the building blocks of your professional
wardrobe that can be tastefully mixed and matched with accessories to
keep you trend-right every season," Kneen says. "It's especially worth
the extra time and money to get the right fit for your body. Accentuate
your assets with proper fit and lengths, especially during the warmer
months when you tend to show more skin. This is true in the colder
months as well, when tailored coats and pants are essential to avoid
looking bulky in heavy winter items."

Save with versatilityBuy
versatile items that can take you from desk to dinner or work to
weekend. Kneen says that workers can save on casual shirts that can be
mixed and matched with suits, blazers and pants. Cotton button-downs,
being shown in different colors or patterns, are less expensive and can
go from day to night and work week to weekend. "[Pair them] with
trousers or pencil skirts during the week and chinos or shorts on the
weekend."

Accessories
are another easy way to incorporate new styles into an ensemble without
spending too much money. They're less expensive but can transform an
outfit from basic to style-forward. "Accessories are a fun way to
experiment with trends without breaking the bank or looking
inappropriate in a work environment," Kneen says.

Jewelry
is a great add on for women, and many budget-friendly stores are
mimicking styles found in higher-end shops. Chunky necklaces and
metallic cuff bracelets look expensive, but you can find trend-forward
options that cost $50 or less. Patterned or colored belts are another
easy way to incorporate a trend without spending all your cash.

For
men, ties are an accessory that can refresh a stale outfit on a budget.
If your office dress code is more casual, add a pocket square to your
blazer or shirt for a pop of color, or experiment with shape. "Adding a
pop of color whether it's with a bright button down, a pocket square, or
even just the lining of a jacket makes the classics feel fresh and
new," Kneen says. Another way he suggests to stay on trend is with the
shape of the items. "A modern cut on a blazer is slimming and nods to
the tailoring trend without a complicated approach  effortless panache
at its best."

"The
key is not to overdo a trend, or you risk becoming a fashion victim,"
Kneen says. "A touch of current pattern and color goes a long way. You
can update your look by pairing print and color back to a neutral 
always a very stylish bet."

Keep track of your expensesBe
smart about where your paycheck is going by keeping track of what
you're spending on clothes. Create a personal budget worksheet, and
populate it with your monthly expenditures. If you don't know where to
start, find a template online that has a basic outline developed. Microsoft
Excel versions are extra helpful, because they'll do the math for you.
By organizing and tracking your expenses, you'll avoid spending more
money than you're making.

It's
easy to get into a rut when dressing for work, but you don't need to
deplete your paycheck to create a new look. If you invest in core pieces
first and build the rest of your wardrobe out over time, you'll end up
with classic yet stylish work attire that'll make you feel confident and
professional.